“It started okay, but after five or six holes, I was hiding under the umbrella. Still, it was a good day,” said Kinhult, who is chasing his second DP World Tour title after narrowly missing the KLM Open earlier this year. 

“I didn’t fully capitalise on the par fives, but I’m happy with my score and excited for the next two rounds.”

Kinhult’s nearest challengers include Bloemfontein’s Dean Burmester, who posted a 67 to join Andrea Pavan and Dale Whitnell at eight under par. Burmester, a formidable contender on home soil with three DP World Tour wins in South Africa, is optimistic.

“It was extremely hot, but I played solidly. I’m three behind, so I’ll stick to my strategy. If I can make a few putts, who knows what can happen,” said Burmester.

Adding to the drama, South African Charl Schwartzel surged into contention with a 66, including two eagles, to finish among a group at seven under par. Aiming for a record fifth title in this championship, Schwartzel expressed confidence while acknowledging the course's challenges.

“My game feels good. I know this course, but it demands precision. If you miss the fairways, it’s tough to control shots out of the rough,” he explained. “The course will get firmer, so I need to keep creating opportunities. With 36 holes left, I’m in a good spot.”

With a tightly packed leaderboard and a challenging course ahead, the battle for the Alfred Dunhill Championship promises an exciting weekend of golf on the banks of the Crocodile River.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg